SSGC cuts gas supply to industries in Karachi to facilitate domestic customers

Owing to the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited’s (SSGC) decision to stop supplying gas to several industries throughout the city, the gas crisis in Karachi appears to have gotten worse.

“In adherence to the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) gas load management plan, that places domestic and commercial customers on top of the priority list, it has been decided to suspend gas supply to all general industries from November 15 to February 28, 2023,” a statement issued by the gas company read.

The decision, according to the statement, is intended to accommodate the rising demand from domestic customers in Sindh and Balochistan.

It should be remembered that due to a gas shortage, all CNG stations in Sindh have already been closed for two and a half months.

According to Geo, the SSGC delivered notices last week that gas will be shut off for more than three months over the winter to the city’s industries, but they rejected the notices, claiming that gas interruptions would result in large layoffs and the closing of firms.

“The industries are in a state of shock to receive SSGCL’s notices of gas closure starting from November 15, 2022, to February 28, 2023,” according to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

“The gas closures can not be proved good for the economy, especially this year, as no special arrangements have been made by the government to purchase RLNG to inject in the system.”

The committee, established by KCCI, stated that it expected the government to take the proper steps to ensure gas supply to the city’s industries rather than completely cutting off gas, which would cause a significant drop in exports and revenue, the closure of industries, and job losses.

The committee had suggested to the government that the gas supply be shut off every 12 hours for two days each week during the winter.